FULLERTON, Calif. – San Diego State women’s cross country kicked off their 2024 season with a very successful showing at Cal State Fullerton’s Mark Covert Classic. Vanessa Cabello won the event as an individual while the team finished second overall in the field.
Cabello was in the top ten throughout the entire race, but made a late surge in the final split overtaking four runners to claim the top spot with a final time of 17:47.1 at Carbon Canyon Regional Park. She edged out UC San Diego’s top runner by less than a second to claim the victory. Her time also marks a personal best for a 5k race in her collegiate career.
About 10 seconds behind the junior was teammate Samantha Wood crossing the line fourth. Making her Aztec cross country debut, the junior finished with a time of 17:54.6. She was consistent all race, finishing each split in the top five.
Not far behind was Emily Van Valkenburg crossed the line in 17:58.9 for a sixth-place finish. The Oregon State transfer made her Aztec debut and fought for the lead most of the race, ranking second at the first two splits.
Maddie Heller posted a personal best time of 18:17.4, besting her previous PR by almost a full minute and crossing the line 17th. Eva Rethmeier was the final Aztec point scorer finishing in 18:24.3 in the 21st position.
Isabella Fauria was the sixth Aztec finisher crossing the line in 18:57.7. Presley Bennett, making her Division I debut, ran an 18:59.0. The lone true freshman on the roster, Sara Jones, posted a 19:04.5 in her first collegiate race. Maddy Parrone and Melanie Falkowski were the final two Aztec finishers, running 19:53.3 and 19:54.4, respectively.
San Diego State totaled 49 points as a team, just six points behind the meet winner UC San Diego’s 43 in their first meet of the year.
Next up: The Aztecs next cross country meet will be Sept. 20 as they travel to Minnesota for the Roy Griak Invitational.
Mark Covert Classic Results
Team Standings (Top 3)
1. UC San Diego (43)
2. San Diego State (49)
3. Claremont-Mudd Scripps (102)
Individual Results (top three and SDSU runners)
1. Vanessa Cabello – 17:47.1 (PR)
2. Sylvana Northrop, UC San Diego – 17:48.0
3. Hannah Fredericks, The Master’s – 17:48.6
4. Samantha Wood – 17:54.5
6. Emily Van Valkenburg – 17:58.9 (Aztec debut)
17. Maddie Heller – 18:17.4 (PR)
21. Eva Rethmeier – 18:24.3
34. Isabella Fauria – 18:57.7
36. Presley Bennett – 18:59.0 (PR, Aztec debut)
41. Sara Jones – 19:04.5 (collegiate debut)
88. Maddy Parrone – 19:53.3
89. Melanie Falkowski – 19:54.4 (PR)